iPhone users often come across a message, saying "iTunes is downloading the software for this iPhone and will restore your iPhone when the download is complete", or "Your mac is downloading a software update for this iPhone and will install information technology when the download is complete" while they try to update or restore iPhone using iTunes or Finder. Still, they cannot move forward since iTunes seems to download firmware files or software files forever.

iTunes downloading software gets stuck

your mac is downloading the software for this iphone 2

There are different reasons that might cause such a trouble. It could be that your device is unable to connect to the Apple server, your internet connexion is not stable, or the third-party security software is preventing the connection with the Apple tree server, or there might be some hardware bug with your iPhone.

How tin can you lot resolve the trouble? In this article, we are going to explain various solutions that you lot tin try to prepare this effect.
You can too check the guide below and bound to the function that suits yous.

  • If your iPhone is frozen and you don't want to lose data, the method in part ii is best for you lot. And the last iv methods in part iii work in some cases also.
  • If your iPhone works normally, all the methods in this commodity are right for you. And the method in part 2 tin can well have the identify of iTunes to update iOS for you lot without any possible problems.
  • Part one. FAQ most iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone
  • Part 2. Best Method to Fix iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone
  • Part three. half-dozen General Ways to Ready iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone
  • Additional Tips for Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

1. FAQ most iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

Here we collect some questions frequently asked by Apple users who suffer this issue.

Q1. How Long Does iTunes Take to Download the Software?

thirty minutes to an hour. Really, there is no detail fourth dimension limit on how long it will take for iTunes to download the firmware. It varies from people to people, depending on how soon your iDevice connects with the Apple server to download the software. Accept the iOS 14 update every bit an example, roughly 'iOS Download and Update' takes nigh 30 minutes. If everything goes fine then your device might run smoothly in no more 1 hour.

Job Required Time (Minutes)
iOS 15 Download xv-30
iOS 15 Installation xv-30
Set up iOS 15 1 - five
Total iOS 15 Update xxx - threescore +

If you lot find iTunes is stuck on "iTunes Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone" for hours, you lot may quit iTunes and restart to try again.

Q2. What Does It Hateful When Information technology Says iTunes/Mac Is Currently Downloading Software for the iPhone?

Mostly speaking, when you lot meet "iTunes/Mac is currently downloading the software for this iPhone", information technology means the iTunes/Finder is trying to plant a connexion with Apple server. Likewise, it tin exist regarded as a sign of unstable network connection or system breakdown.

two. Best Method to Fix iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

If your iPhone is at present stuck on recovery mode or cannot work normally for another bug (such as white screen, keeping restart, freezing trouble, declining to be activated, etc), and you are trying to restore iPhone, you can try a third-party tool to prepare it.

Endeavour a Tertiary-Party Tool to Fix the Problem without Data Loss

Here we would like to introduce a powerful tool iMyFone Fixppo (iOS 15/14 supported) to fix the problem without data loss. It is out of the question the best iTunes alternative in the marketplace. It applies exclusive technologies then that it can fix the problems that fifty-fifty iTunes cannot fix. Likewise, information technology tin can update the iDevice directly and avoid many bug that may happen when updating via iTunes. It as well uses firmware, but it works in a different manner from iTunes. Therefore, when your iTunes is stuck at downloading a software update for iPhone/iPad/iPod affect and cannot proceed, the all-time option is iMyFone Fixppo.

Moreover, the main feature of this tool repairs a broad range of iOS issues without data loss such as iPhone stuck at black/white screen/recovery mode/Apple logo or iPhone could not be activated. The other feature offered is entering or exiting Recovery Way without data loss. If your iPhone is stuck in recovery, you can effort this characteristic with the free trial version.

Windows version Mac version

Follow the steps provided beneath to use iMyFone Fixppo to ready the iOS problems with your iPhone without data loss.

Step 1: Install and launch the latest version of this software on your PC. Choose 'Standard Style' from the program'southward chief screen. Then connect your iOS device to it and click Next.

interface of iMyFone Fixppo

Stride 2: Now, if the program can recognize your device, yous can go to the next footstep. If not, put your iPhone in DFU/recovery fashion by going forth the on-screen instructions.

enter DFU mode under Standard mode

Then the programme volition recognize your iPhone and offer all the bachelor firmware. Yous just need to choose the version you similar and click "Download" to get the firmware that matches your iPhone.

download firmware

Pace 3: The fixing process will starting time as presently as yous click the 'Start' button. Once it'due south over, your device will be fixed and you won't suffer from the result "iTunes is downloading the software for this iPhone".

finished fixing your device

You can also sentry this video for more detailed solutions for this issue.

Fix the Issue

Windows version Mac version

3. half-dozen Full general ways to Fix iTunes/Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

If your iPhone works normally before iTunes is stuck on downloading the software for this iPhone, you lot can try to do something for both your iTunes and iPhone to avoid the problem.

Here in this department, we've brought to you lot quite constructive solutions that you can perform to gear up the iTunes stuck issue.

  • Tip 1. Uninstall Third-Party Security Apps
  • Tip ii. Reset All Settings
  • Tip 3. Hard Reset iPhone
  • Tip 4. Update iTunes
  • Tip v. Restore from Backup
  • Tip 6. Restore iPhone with Recovery Mode

iii.1 Uninstall 3rd-Party Security Apps

Sometimes, the 3rd-party security apps will have the connectedness as illegal, thus prevent iTunes from connecting with Apple server. At this time, uninstalling those apps tin can assistance solve the problem. And y'all can download them once more later on fixing the issue to protect your iPhone to the near extent.

3.2 Reset All Settings

To reset all settings on your iPhone, you lot don't have to exist a tech-geek. Knowing some elementary steps will ease your burden and help you deal with the problem that iTunes is stuck on downloading the software for this iPhone. Hither are the steps –

  1. From your iPhone home screen, become to 'Settings' and so click 'Full general'.
  2. Scroll down to the finish of the screen and and then press the 'Reset' tab found there.
  3. Under the 'Reset' option click on 'Reset All Settings' and you are adept to go. If prompted for a passcode and so provide the same.

reset all settings

3.3 Difficult Reset iPhone

Endeavor performing a hard reset on your iPhone as a great method to fix the result equally information technology has been proved effective for fixing iOS glitches. Follow the steps provided carefully:

  • iPhone 6 or Older Devices

Concur down the 'Sleep/Wake' push button simultaneously with the 'Abode' button till you see the telephone screen turn black. As soon equally the Apple logo starts appearing, permit get of the buttons.

  • iPhone seven/vii Plus

Printing and hold the 'Sleep/Wake' and 'Book Down' push together until the Apple logo appears. Exit them once subsequently that.

  • iPhone 8/8 Plus/iPhone Ten or Later

First, quickly button the 'Volume Up' central and release apace, repeat the aforementioned with the 'Volume Downwardly' key. Press the 'Slumber/Wake' push button till the Apple tree logo appears on the screen.

3.4 Update iTunes

Sometimes, the trouble results from the old version of iTunes, and a simple update of information technology can prepare information technology. To update iTunes on Windows version, you can but click "Assistance" in the menu and then click "Bank check for Updates". Follow the instruction to install the latest version of your iTunes.

update iTunes

If you are using a Mac, you tin just go to the App Store and check if there is an update for iTunes. Click "UPDATE" if in that location is the option.

update iTunes on Mac

3.5 Restore from Backup

If yous are all the same stuck on "iTunes is downloading the software for this iPhone", you should then try to resolve information technology by restoring your device from a previous backup. Sometimes, restoring with old backup fixes whatever additional glitches happened with an iOS device, even you use the latest iOS xv beta three/2/one. So, here are the steps to do it –

  1. Ensure to install the latest version of iTunes on your estimator and launch it. Connect your iPhone using a lightning cablevision and make certain to tap on 'Trust' when 'Trust This Computer' message appears on your screen. Now, click on your iPhone from the iTunes' primary screen.
  2. Go to the 'Summary' tab and nether the 'Backups' department click on 'Restore Backup' push button. Select the most recent or any desired backup file from the list in the pop-upward window and tap 'Restore'.

Annotation: Please practice not disconnect the iDevice until the procedure completes.

restore iTunes from backup

3.half-dozen Restore iPhone with Recovery Mode

If all the methods above fail to aid you out, and you didn't enter or become stuck on the recovery mode past now, then restoring iPhone with recovery style serves every bit the final resort for you lot. Follow the steps below to put your device into recovery style showtime.
Retrieve to go on the iPhone and PC continued during the whole process.

    • For iPhone 8 or after models: Press and release the Book UP push button, and then the Volume Down button. Finally concord the Side button until the recovery mode screen shows. Don't release it when the apple logo appears.
    • For iPhone 7/seven Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down push and Side push.
      Don't release them until the Recovery Style screen shows.
    • For iPhone six or older models: Press and hold Home button and Side button.
      Proceed holding until the Recovery Mode screen shows.

Afterwards iTunes detects the iPhone, you can run across two options availible. Choose restore and confirm your activeness. Then all you need to practise is waiting patiently until the whole process completes.

restore iPhone with iTunes

iv. Boosted Tips for Mac Is Downloading the Software for This iPhone

For those people who encounter "Mac is currently downloading the software update for this iPhone", they may experience upset because almost all the solutions showed on Google are written for the iTunes users. But don't worry this time, hither this carve up office is only for you. And you should know that the methods offered in this commodity can be applied to the Finder users as well. Just go dorsum to check them!

additional tip